To maintain international peace and security, and to that end: to take effective collective measures for the prevention and removal of threats to the peace, and for the suppression of acts of aggression or other breaches of the peace, and to bring about by peaceful means, and in conformity with the principles of justice and international law, adjustment or settlement of international disputes or situations which might lead to a breach of the peace;
To develop friendly relations among nations based on respect for the principle of equal rights and self-determination of peoples, and to take other appropriate measures to strengthen universal peace;
To achieve international co-operation in solving international problems of an economic, social, cultural, or humanitarian character, and in promoting and encouraging respect for human rights and for fundamental freedoms for all without distinction as to race, sex, language, or religion; and
To be a centre for harmonizing the actions of nations in the attainment of these common ends.

Article 2

The Organization and its Members, in pursuit of the Purposes stated in Article 1, shall act in accordance with the following Principles.

The Organization is based on the principle of the sovereign equality of all its Members.
All Members, in order to ensure to all of them the rights and benefits resulting from membership, shall fulfill in good faith the obligations assumed by them in accordance with the present Charter.
All Members shall settle their international disputes by peaceful means in such a manner that international peace and security, and justice, are not endangered.
All Members shall refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state, or in any other manner inconsistent with the Purposes of the United Nations.
All Members shall give the United Nations every assistance in any action it takes in accordance with the present Charter, and shall refrain from giving assistance to any state against which the United Nations is taking preventive or enforcement action.
The Organization shall ensure that states which are not Members of the United Nations act in accordance with these Principles so far as may be necessary for the maintenance of international peace and security.
Nothing contained in the present Charter shall authorize the United Nations to intervene in matters which are essentially within the domestic jurisdiction of any state or shall require the Members to submit such matters to settlement under the present Charter; but this principle shall not prejudice the application of enforcement measures under Chapter Vll.

Itself, in its first years of existence, went against it own charter, with the invasion of Korea and the creation of a Zionist state, Israel! So, what real purpose does the United Nation serve? With the ongoing USA led attacks against Middle East countries, the continued genocide of Palestinians, the Saudi Arabian genocide of Yemenis?

James Baldwin put it very aptly in 1979: “The state of Israel was not created for the salvation of the Jews; it was created for the salvation of the Western interests

Is Zionism “settler colonialism?” It’s an important question that is increasingly invoked in public debates over Israel/Palestine – and BDS in particular.

While I personally do believe Israel to be a settler colonial state, I think it’s critical to understand what we mean when we use this term, what it means in the context of Israel/Palestine, and its implications for the wider struggle against systems of oppression in the US and throughout the world.

Let’s start with the definition itself. Many people use the term “settler colonialism” and “colonialism” interchangeably, but they are not in fact the same thing. Colonialism is defined by the Collins Dictionary as “the policy and practice of a power in extending control over weaker peoples or areas.” Historically speaking, it generally refers to specific European imperial powers during a period that lasted from the 16th to mid-20th centuries.

An inter-ministerial team was recently established by Israel’s Government to formulate a program to deport activists. The growing international solidarity with Palestinians is framed as a risk to Israel’s national security. Here’s my own experience and a glimpse of what we are facing.

By Moara Crivelente

Cases of deportation and bans are mounting and a campaign starts to develop against what is a repressive policy. Like mine – I was interrogated, detained, deported and banned from returning for 10 years – numerous other cases reveal an ever more aggressive practice.

Right after arriving at the International Airport Ben Gurion, on July 23rd, I went through what so many have already experienced in Israel’s lack of hospitality with whomever is suspect of having an opinion about the occupation of Palestine. I was repeatedly interrogated for hours and later informed of my deportation and ban…

Though this paper: BDS A Global Movement for Freedom and Justice, is 6 years old, it is still very pertinent today. Especially as some Countries and Cities are trying to outlaw, something that is totally legitimate and is morally correct.

One of the recommendations of the BDS (Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions) movement, mentioned in this paper;

Applying public pressure to ostracize the Jewish National Fund (JNF) and deny it its current legal status in most western countries as a tax exempt, charitable organization;

Jewish members of the UK’s Green Party‘s on several occasions, tried to put forward a motion to the party’s conference. Calling on the Green Party, to call on the Charity Commission, to withdraw charitable status from the Jewish National Fund. These motion were side-tracked and finally voted down, by a party claiming to stand for ‘equality and fairness’.

Another recommendation, which is extremely pertinent, in today’s environment;

Lobbying local councils and regional governments to strictly apply domestic and international laws which urge them to preclude from public contracts companies that are involved in “grave misconduct,” especially at the human rights level;

Labour controlled Manchester City Council, especially its leader, Richard Leese, have tried to stigmatise the BDS. Trying to equate the BDS movement to anti-Semitism, despite the fact Palestinians are Semites. Judaism is a religion, not a race! And recently we have New York City producing a blacklist, of those they believe are boycotting the State of Israel. Which is of course against the USA Constitution?

At the end of the day, those who are morally right, those who support Palestinians rights, will win in the end.

The UK definitely has gone backwards and is now in The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists days. With the Labour Party being no different than the present Conservative Government. Which is what happens in an undemocratic FPTP (First-Past-the Post) electoral system. A two-party state, with the two parties being almost identical! Also, the present situation in the UK, shows that capitalism does not work, wealth does not trickle down. Consumerism, part of the capitalist agenda, also increases inequality and accelerates depletion of finite resources and climate change.

The overall benefit cap level reduces by £115 per week from November and means no job no house. That is not scaremongering or exaggeration it is simple fact. As well as mass eviction of existing t…

The harder the Israelis try to stifle criticism and condemnation of its war crimes. Palestinians and their supporters will not be silenced, by foul lies and accusations thrown at them. The TRUTH is might, not might the truth!

[Prefatory Note: An earlier version of this post was published with the title, “The Palestinian Struggle for Self-Determination: A New Phase?” in Middle East Eye, June 26, 2016. This version stresses the misappropriation of anti-Semitism as a propaganda weapon to smear pro-Palestinian activists, especially those supportive of the BDS Campaign. It also clarifies the issues of representation by explaining the formal differences between the PLO and PA, which do not seem presently consequential in my understanding; I am indebted to Uri Davis for bringing the distinction to my attention although he may not agree with my way of handling it.]

End of the Road?

There are many reasons to consider the Palestinian struggle for self-determination a lost cause. Israel exerts unchallenged paramilitary control over the Palestinian people, a political reality accentuated periodically by brutal attacks on Gaza causing massive civilian casualties and societal dislocation…

Whilst our mainstream media continue with the media circus about the USA presidential nominations, the referendum on EU membership and the false allegations of anti-Semitism against those who support the Palestinians rights. Concerns have been raised by landlords, that those on Universal Credit, are in rent arrears? Which will come as no surprise, to any one with any commosense!

We still have a Government still hounding the least able in society. Whilst the rich get away with false expenses applications and avoiding tax. Money is wasted hounding the poorest in society, instead of assisting them and making their lives more worthwhile. A society which sits-by and allows the persecution and ridicule of the poor and meek, is not worthy of calling itself civilised!

Recent experience leads me to ask the question what does is PIP – Personal Independence Payment OR Permanently Irritation Persecution? In February I wrote about how following the DWP rules r…

David Cameron‘s Government has waged a nasty campaign against those least able in society. This is not what society as a whole wants, though the UK’s mass-media, help to stir-up hostility towards those less able in society. We have gone back to the bad old days of Robert Tressell and ‘The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists‘!

Please READ and share this vitally important post from Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson requests that anyone who can walk less then 50 metres and who has lost their PIP, please get in touch with her:…